[문화정책/이슈] 자유와 디지털화 강조한 자민당의 문화정책
[Date Registered] 2025-04-28 [Views] 1733
The German federal election concluded on February 23, 20251. The results showed the center-conservative Christian Democratic Union / Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) receiving 28.52% of the votes and securing 208 seats 2, the party assessed as far-right, Alternative for Germany (AfD), receiving 20.8% and 152 seats 3, the progressive Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) receiving 16.41% and 120 seats 4, The Greens (Die Grünen) receiving 11.61% and 85 seats 5, and The Left (Die Linke) receiving 8.77% and 64 seats6. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht party (BSW) failed to enter the Bundestag7.
The German Cultural Council (Deutscher Kulturrat) is an umbrella organization of cultural associations in Germany8. It cooperates with the federal government, state governments, and EU institutions to advise on the establishment and implementation of cultural policy9. Following the general election, the organization sent an official letter to the parties asking for their positions on cultural policy10. The CDU/CSU, SPD, The Greens, FDP, and The Left responded, while the AfD and the BSW did not state their positions11. We have decided to analyze the cultural policy positions of each party in the order of their share of the vote12.
< Official Logo of the FDP - Source: FDP Facebook account (@FDP) >
The FDP (Free Democratic Party) is a German political party that champions liberalism as its central value13. It was historically a smaller party with around 10% support14. Although it failed to enter the parliament in this general election 15, it has maintained significant political influence, having participated in four coalition governments16. Its policy direction denies a nationalist perspective, asserting that the role of the state and government should be minimal17. The FDP's platform is based on the Karlsruhe Program adopted in 2012, which advocates for the enhancement of freedom and emphasizes individual responsibility18. Its cultural policy also reflects an emphasis on economic liberalism.
The FDP emphasized **'freedom and diversity in art and culture'**19. While progressive German parties stressed cultural diversity, the addition of the word 'freedom' in the FDP's cultural policy is notable20. The party supports enshrining culture as a national goal in the Basic Law (Constitution)21. They announced a plan to reform public broadcasting to focus on news, culture, political education, and documentaries, and to reduce licensing fees22. They also aim to strengthen the cultural and creative industries as a major economic sector in Germany and enhance accessibility to arts and culture through Opportunity Budgets (Chancenbudgets) and digitalization23. In foreign cultural policy (AKGP), they stated they would expand support for the Goethe-Institut and the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa) and counter disinformation through strategic communication mediated by intermediary organizations24.
As the FDP focuses on job creation and economic growth through investment activation, it emphasizes social structural reform through digitalization25. Regarding copyright issues related to digitalization, they stated that the protection of creators' income must be guaranteed in the digital environment, and a clear and reliable legal framework is necessary even when AI utilizes copyrighted material26. Their position is that the existing level of copyright protection must be maintained27.
Regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the FDP plans to strengthen the digitalization of collections, cultural assets, and performing arts28. They also plan to promote the establishment of a European-level Cultural Heritage Protection Fund (European National Trust), referencing the UK's National Trust29. The UK's National Trust model is a non-profit, private organization founded in 1895, which operates independently of the government30. Its purpose is to preserve cultural assets and increase public accessibility to cultural heritage by opening them to the public31. As the FDP identifies itself as a European party, it appears to be seeking European-level solutions for cultural heritage protection that extend beyond Germany's borders32.
Regarding measures to support the cultural industry, the FDP mentioned eliminating the current standards for cultural categorization33. To promote cultural diversity, the FDP stated they would abolish the distinction between high culture (E-Kultur) and popular culture (U-Kultur), emphasizing that pop culture, as well as design, comics, tattoo art, and gaming, should also be recognized as part of culture34.
Regarding the Culture of Remembrance (Erinnerungskultur), the FDP plans to strengthen support for local memorial facilities and monuments and develop new memorial concepts to respond to technological and social changes35. They also revealed a vision to strengthen the Federal Archives and develop it into an institution of remembrance for the digital society36.